Memoirs of a Geisha (which I think, should have been renamed Memoirs of Bitchy Geishas)

Just caught the above movie tonight. Haven't read the book yet, so maybe that's why at the end of the movie, I didn't quite get the point of the movie. That geishas have hard lives? That love triumphs in the end but you still may not get the guy? That women can be real bitches? (I think the last point stood out the most, with all the catfights & backstabbing shenanigans that was going on throughout the movie).

Zhang Ziyi did a great job, as did the young actress, Suzuka Ohgo, who played the younger version of Chiyo. Felt that Michelle Yeoh's performance was lukewarm, and she sounded rather out of place with her semi-Japanese semi-Singaporean accent. Gong Li as THE bitchy geisha also played her role well. There was also a hodge-podge of other Asian actors (my husband & I call them the recycled Asians, as they take turns appearing in various movies & TV series as the token villian/Asian gangster/gung-fu master/wise old man, such is the sad state of affairs for Asian actors in Hollywood)). Ken Watanabe, as Chiyo's love interest gave a credible performance. What stood out for me, as far as the acting talent was concerned, was that it was understated, which was refreshing; many Chinese/Asian movies tend to have overly done, melodramatic performances by its stars, & this was a nice change.

Was it a good movie? Yeah, I think so - wonderful cinematography, costumes & make-up, which should garner it some Oscar nominations in their respective categories. Didn't think too much of the storyline though. In any case, it was interesting watching an ex-patient star in her first BIG Hollywood production...

Now I need to decide whether the book is worth reading or not...